Rollie went upstairs and found Angie sitting in the chair by the window. Her legs were curled under her and he could see that she was wearing one of his sweaters, her fingers wrapped up in the ends. Splayed out in her lap were the baby clothes from her shopping trip with Lucinda.
"Hey," Rollie said quietly as he knelt down in front of Angie and reached for her hand.
"Rollie," Angie cried as she leaned over and pulled him into a hug.
"Angie...God, I know we weren't expecting this but—"
"Rollie please. I have to say something before you say anything else." Angie searched Rollie's eyes. "You're right, we weren't expecting this but...we should have. Loubar is still out there and he's still a threat to us. We just never know." Angie cried as her voice shook. With a shaky hand Angie reached up and wiped the tears from her eyes and she fingered the soft material of the tiny baby socks; a small smile curled her lips. Angie cocked her head to one side and a small giggle escaped her lips. "They're so tiny aren't they?" Angie laughed as she held them up for Rollie to see. "Look at them Rollie. Look at how small they are. It's hard to believe that anything can be so tiny." Angie's smile was replaced by a more worried look and her brow furrowed.
"Angie, what?" Rollie asked. He was feeling confused and scared for Angie in a way he had never felt before. He didn't know what the baby clothes had to do with finding Victor Loubar's name on the list of Delveccio's contacts.
Angie sniffled and shifted in her seat. "I've made a decision Rollie." She paused. Angie took Rollie's hand in hers as she searched his eyes. "I love you so much. I can't face life without you and I don't care how selfish that sounds." She reached out and caressed his cheek, her touch gentle. "But," Angie sighed heavily as she steadied her shoulders, "I know that us being together gives Loubar more ammunition to use against us, he'll know that the way to hurt either one of us is to hurt the other. I accept that and I will fight him in any way that I can, for you and for me."
Rollie swallowed and searched her eyes. "Sweetie—"
"No. Let me finish," Angie said softly. "I accept that and I know that you do too. But what I can't accept is handing him an innocent, helpless life to use against us." She sniffled as tears came down her cheeks. "Rollie, if we have a baby Loubar will see that as some kind of gift that we wrapped up all for him. He will use our child against us." Angie's tears came again and her voice shook. Rollie reached up and held the side of her face, his thumb wiping away her tears. "I can't do that Rollie. I can't bring a child into this world knowing that that sick bastard could use him or her as a weapon to hurt us. I can't, Rollie. I won't!" She sobbed.
"Angie," Rollie's voice was course, the emotion unexpectedly caught in his throat. "I will do everything I can to protect you and that includes our family. You have to know that!"
"I do know that, Rollie. And I love you even more for it. But I just can't put an innocent child in the clutches of Loubar, not knowing everything he is capable of and how much he hates us. I can't! It would kill me, Rollie! Please!" Angie's sobs wracked her body.
Rollie pulled her to him and they both cried. Loubar had cost them so much and now he was costing them their family. God! Rollie hated him even more now with every fiber of his being.
Angie pulled away slightly, her hand once again caressing Rollie's tear stained face. "This isn't fair to you. I'm sorry—God, Rollie...I don't know if I will feel this way in six months or a year or if I'm never going to change my mind." Angie looked down at her lap sullenly. "Rollie, if you don't want to marry me—"
"Hey! Shhh!" Rollie gently cupped Angie's face and raised it to his. "I don't ever want to hear you say that again. I will take you any way I can get you." Rollie looked deep into Angie's eyes as his own eyes watered. "I understand how you feel about having children," he sighed. "I've felt the same way myself. You don't think I've been worried or been scared? But I swear to you Angie, on my life, that I will protect you and that goes for our children. We can't let Loubar control our lives," he whispered softly. Rollie looked into her eyes and saw how much pain this was causing Angie and how hard this decision had been for her. Rollie swallowed hard. "But if this is what you want," he breathed. "Then I can live with it too."
Angie stared deeply into Rollie's eyes. "Are you sure about that? It's not fair to you. You deserve to be a daddy someday Rollie."
"And you deserve to be a mommy, Angela. And what's not fair? Being with the woman I love? I can live with that. What I can't live with is you not being in my life." Rollie stood up and pulled her to him. His arms wrapped around Angie tightly, his chin resting on her head. "Call me selfish but I can't give you up either, Angela."
"I love you Rollie."
"I love you Angela."
Rollie and Angie slept curled up against each other on the bed. Neither one of them had bothered to change or get under the covers. Angie cried herself to sleep, soft sobs that rocked her body. Though she had made the decision, it didn't mean that it wasn't causing her pain. Rollie knew that and he held her and caressed her hair and all the while his hatred for Victor Loubar grew. Rollie swore again that he would make Loubar pay for all the pain he had caused them and now he swore to make him pay for taking away their dreams for the future.
Morning came and with it little sleep for Rollie. He felt Angie stir beside him and he reached over, brushing the hair from her eyes.
"Hey beautiful." Rollie smiled down at her.
Angie yawned as she reached up, caressing Rollie's face and smiling softly. "Hey handsome."
"Handsome huh?" Rollie smiled crookedly. "I can tell you didn't get much sleep."
"By the looks of things I think I got more than you did." Angie fingered his curls around his ear. "I meant what I said last night Rollie. If— you should be with someone who can give you babies—"
"Okay. Keep it up if you want to make me angry first thing in the morning," Rollie warned her, his voice stern and his jaw set. "I'm really not in the mood for this first thing. We came to an understanding last night Angela. I love you and you love me. The rest is just...peanut butter."
"Peanut butter?" Angie laughed.
"Yeah. Peanut butter. It's sticky, and good, and you can have it crunchy or smooth, but in the end it's not really necessary." Rollie smiled, knowing then that he really hadn't gotten much sleep last night.
Angie turned on her side and reached over and kissed Rollie. "Don't ever change Rollie."
The couple took their time getting ready that morning. They showered together slowly. Angie shaved Rollie again like she had after their first time together. Every chance they got they looked deeply into each other's eyes and without saying a word, they knew how the other felt. Each felt the emptiness, a void where promise and hope for the future were once held. They felt each other's pain and loss.
They dressed and as Rollie stood tucking in his shirt as he looked over at Angie while she dressed. "You know, we still need to deal with this...." he reminded her apprehensively.
Angie didn't look at Rollie. "I know."
"Just because his name is there doesn't mean that we will run into him during all of this, or even that we have to. I mean, the authorities can be the ones to handle that," Rollie continued.
"I know," Angie repeated. "But you and I both know how easy it is for him to elude the authorities grasp. I just...I just need to be mentally prepared for it, just in case. And also...." Angie paused and Rollie watched her closely. "I've decided that I'm going to sign up for kick boxing lessons or tai kwon do or something. I just need to feel that I can take care of myself. I need to do that."
"I think that's a good idea," Rollie told her, although he thought she was already pretty good at taking care of herself. He knew Angie needed to do this. Just as there were some things that he needed to do.
"Listen, Angie, I'm going to tell Leo to handle things today. Why don't you and I take a drive? Or go to a movie or something?"
"Do you think that's wise? We just decrypted the code yesterday. I feel like there is some information there that might help." Angie took hold of Rollie's hand. "Look, I know you're worried about me and I appreciate that but I can handle this, Rollie. Besides, if there is information on there that can help send Loubar away then I want to help."
"Fair enough." Rollie smiled as his hips swayed into hers. "But I reserve tonight for us, and we need to start planning our wedding, remember?'
"Oooh, I remember." Angie smiled. "But I'd much rather plan the honeymoon!"
"Consider it a date!" Rollie smiled lasciviously, waggling his eyebrows for effect eliciting a squeal from Angie.
After breakfast Angie got to work on the file from the cracked code. Even though they had started to decipher the file, they still had to figure out what all the information meant. Some of the information was obvious but other information was still coded. Basically, it was a code within a code.
Sapien had snuck out of the loft last night and would make his way back sometime this morning. After his concerns were voiced, Leo assured Rollie that he hadn't shown Sapien the back way into the loft nor had he told him of the tunnels he had been using.
"How are you and Angie doing?" Leo asked as he spotted Angie quietly working on her computer.
"So so." Rollie sighed. "Seeing Loubar's name really threw us for a loop. After everything he's put us through a millennium would be too soon to tangle with him again. It would be great if this information leads to a way to catch him but I won't hold my breath. He's like this perennial bad seed, a nightmare that we keep reliving. I hate him Leo." Rollie's jaw set as he squeezed the back of the chair in his hands. "I hate him."
"I can see that." Leo squeezed Rollie's shoulder. "I'll help you in any way I can, pal. I mean that."
"I know Leo." Rollie eyes showed sadness that Leo hadn't seen before. Whenever Rollie had talked about Loubar, Leo had seen anger, pain, and hatred, but never sadness.
Angie and Sapien worked on deciphering the rest of the code. They called Rollie and Leo over when it worked. Letters spelling out names of Senators, Governors, State politicians, and police officers replaced the gibberish.
"Oh my God," Angie exclaimed. "There has to be at least twenty politicians on this list—"
"And the cops...I bet you there is one from every precinct that had a robbery," Leo surmised.
"This is incredible." Rollie rubbed his chin, wondering if any of these guys had been instrumental in Loubar's escape from the country countless times. "At least we know who not to trust."
"The only name that doesn't seem to be on there is the name of the Interpol agent," Sapien spoke as he stared at the computer screen. "I guess that would have been too much to hope for," he said somewhat dejectedly. "We still have to do some work."
"Nothing ever comes easy," Leo also lamented, shaking his head.
"Okay, hold on. Maybe we can use these names to our advantage." Rollie interrupted the depression fest.
"How?" Angie asked.
"Well...if we can get the heat to come down on one of the Senators or state politicians maybe we can get one of them to cooperate with us and set up a meeting with the agent—"
"But it's possible they don't know how to contact him, or even that there is an agent." Sapien pointed out. "His only contact may be with Delveccio."
"Okay, so, we need a patsy to set up a meeting with the agent—" Rollie continued.
"Through Delveccio." Leo finished his train of thought. "This could work," Leo agreed, fingering his chin in deep thought.
Mira and Francis came by the loft later that afternoon after having received the package Rollie had mailed. They had shown it to Capt. Van Duran and then they had told him the rest of the story...to a point. They left out exactly how the ledgers were obtained and by whom. The Captain gave Mira and Francis the clearance to continue the investigation and allocated whatever resources they needed. The detectives went to Angie and Rollie to see if they could decrypt the file they had just finished decrypting.
"That was fast," Mira exclaimed.
"Not fast enough," Angie admitted, clearly chagrined. "It took us a couple of days. I must be slipping."
"You're not slipping. A lot has gone on, remember?" Rollie reprimanded Angie softly. "There's another thing Mira," Rollie continued as his arm went around Angie's shoulder as he brought up the uncomfortable subject. "Loubar's name was among Delveccio's contacts."
Mira looked between Rollie and Angie. "That's just great. Are you okay?" she asked the both of them.
"We're fine." Rollie tried to assure her, his anger seething underneath the surface.
Mira examined the couple and knew Loubar's name had to have thrown them for a loop. "Um, about that file...."
"That file yielded some very interesting tidbits," Leo said. "Such as the names of contacts, including state Senators, Governors, and other local politicians but what worries me," he looked at both Mira and Francis, "is the fact that there are snitches inside our own ranks. You guys may have weeded them out at Midtown South, but they're still very much a problem elsewhere. So we need to be careful."
"I agree," Mira said. "So, how do we use the information to our advantage? I assume that since you guys already decrypted the code that you're way ahead of me on that as well."
"You're right on that point." Rollie smiled. "But we do need your help to pull it off. Both you and Francis." He looked at Francis who thus far had been quiet.
Francis smiled and almost danced in his spot. He was beginning to feel left out of the loop. "What do you need Rollie?"
Rollie, Leo, and Sapien explained their plan. If they could coerce one of the politicians to cooperate in return for a lighter sentence, then they could get a meeting set up. Then, with the help of Tyler FX, one of them would take his place and meet with the as yet unknown Interpol agent.
Mira offered to discuss the plan with the Captain because she would need his backing to get a deal with a federal prosecutor worked out. Before leaving she cornered Angie in her clean room. Mira had noticed she had been very quiet in the moments after Loubar's name had been brought up,
"You okay, Angie?"
Angie sighed. "You know about Loubar, right?"
Mira pulled a seat over. "Yeah, I do."
Angie rubbed her fingers along her desk absentmindedly. "I have never been so scared of anyone or anything in my entire life, Mira. It's like he is everywhere and I know what Rollie says is true, that I can't let him run our lives, but at the same time...I can't ignore the utter devastation he can wreak in it as well." Angie shuddered. "Every time I hear his name I feel trapped, like the walls are going to close in and that I need to run but no matter where I run...he will find me. I know his ultimate goal is to kill Rollie and that scares me even more."
Mira didn't know what to say. In the absence of words she opened her arms out to her friend and hugged her in tight reassurance. Reassurance that she wasn't sure was enough.
Downstairs in the lounge Francis, Leo, and Rollie continued their discussion.
"Do you have anyone in particular in mind, Rollie?" Francis asked.
"No. Not really. I thought we would go down the list alphabetically."
"Works for me." Francis laughed.
Angie worked upstairs looking up some information on the politicians on the list. Once that was done everyone looked over the list and decided the first Senator they would approach would be Senator Richard Bailey from Boston. Once Mira had the clearance from the Captain and the federal prosecutors, she and Sapien paid a visit to Senator Bailey in Washington. All parties involved felt they needed to move as quickly as possible in order to prevent a leak.
Bailey was reluctant to admit to any wrongdoing but he caved in pretty quickly once Sapien and Mira said that they had proof of his wrong doings. They pointed out to the Senator that he could face treason charges unless he cooperated with them.
Rollie asked if they could get Bailey to come to the loft. Once there, they recorded his voice with the voice recognition program and also got a 3D rendering of his head. The senator didn't know what exactly was going on but he had no choice but to cooperate. The loft, to him, looked like some kind of wonderland.
They also had Senator make the call from his cell phone at the loft. Angie set up the equipment to record and trace the call while Rollie, using the voice recognition software, masqueraded as the Senator and was actually the one to place the call to Delveccio.
"What can I do for you, good Senator?" Delveccio's voice seemingly dripped with oil.
"We need a meeting, ASAP." Rollie (as Bailey) responded.
"I don't think that's such a good idea."
"I beg to differ." Rollie replied.
The Senator looked between Mira, Leo and Sapien, who had given him strict instructions to stay quiet or else.
Rollie continued. "Things are heating up. People have been asking questions, things are unraveling. I have it on good authority that a certain New York City cop by the name of Leo McCarthy is very much alive. I also know that Agent Hanson is dead. Don't tell me that everything is under control when clearly it isn't." Rollie paused. "I want a meeting and I want it now. This is not a request, Delveccio."
"What is this about Senator?"
"This is about protecting my interests, since I'm very sure that you and the other interested party won't be doing that." Rollie winked over at Leo, certain that he had baited the hook.
There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few minutes. "Fine. How's tomorrow at 2:30 sound?"
Rollie glanced at the others before answering. "Works for me but I insist on one thing,"
"Insist?" Everyone could hear the mockery in Delveccio's voice. "What is it you insist on Senator? And you better not be giving me more trouble than you're worth because you know how I don't like trouble."
"You don't have to remind me." Rollie looked over at Bailey and could see fear visibly mark the Senator's face. "I want to meet the Agent."
"You can't be serious!"
Rollie pressed on. "Yes, I am. I told you, people are asking questions. Suspicions are being raised. I've heard rumors of top-level meetings taking place between federal prosecutors and the Attorney General's office. Now, I know your involvement, and I'm aware of some of the involvement of others like me, but I have no idea about this Agent. And if I'm taking chances then I want to know who this guy is. Otherwise...I will spill my guts to the feds and you'll be the only person I can name. Now, does that sound fair to you?"
There was a pause on the other end of the line for a few moments."You're right. I don't even know this guys name. Perhaps its time I met him myself. I'll set it up. We'll come to Boston. Two days. I'll contact you with the time and the place. Come alone and don't try any funny business." The phone clicked.
Rollie looked around. "How did I do?'
"Performance of a lifetime," Leo answered. He turned his attention to the Senator "We're going to have some of our men on you for the next two days. We have a trace on your phone. We'll know when the meeting is set when you do. Don't try anything funny."
"Keep to your regular routine. Act like nothing is happening," Sapien added.
"Senator? I'll have one of our men drive you to your hotel," Mira said.
Everyone was now busy with the planning and preparations for the meeting. They discussed what equipment to use. Rollie and Angie began loading up the van right away. Angie was in the van as Rollie handed her some of the equipment.
"So, I guess we aren't going anywhere tonight huh?" she asked as she took the box from him.
"Bloody hell," Rollie muttered to himself. "I'm sorry Angie. I promise I will make it up to you," he said as he climbed into the van.
"It's all right," Angie sighed. "I know this is important. I mean if this meeting is set up then they have the chance to nab Delveccio and the Interpol agent all at the same time. Then Leo can officially return to the land of the living and...." she smiled, "he can be your best man at our wedding."
Rollie grabbed Angie's hand and put it to his lips. "Have I told you lately how much I love you?"
Angie pondered the question seriously and then smiled. "Not nearly enough."
"Come here then and I'll show you," he said as he closed the doors of the van.
The next day Rollie, Angie, Leo, Francis, Mira, and Sapien all traveled to Boston in anticipation of the meeting. As they settled into their hotel rooms Rollie went to Leo's room.
"So, mate, by this time tomorrow all this could finally be over."
"Yeah." Leo shook his head. "It's hard to believe." Leo threw his sack onto the bed. "Listen, Rollie...I want to thank you, both you and Angie, for everything. I know that no matter how this turns out and whatever happens, you guys were there for me. I could count on you even when I didn't think I could allow myself to count on anyone. That means a lot to me, pal. Thank you."
"Ah, Leo, no thanks necessary. That's what friends are for, mate." Rollie squeezed Leo's shoulder. "You've been there for both Angie and I in the past and you're going to be there for us again in the not too distant future. Remember, you're going to be my best man at our wedding."
"That's right." Leo snapped his fingers as if remembering it. Rollie shook his finger at him and Leo laughed. "I wouldn't miss it for the world. Though, I see what you would be getting out of getting hitched to Angie, but what, exactly, is the advantage for Angie?"
"Why I oughta!" Rollie raised his fist to Leo and they both laughed. "I have to get back and make sure the mask making equipment is all set before I go to bed." Rollie headed for the door. "I'll see you in the morning."
Rollie retuned to his room after checking on the equipment in the van. He found Angie by the window. Rollie came up quietly behind her as his hands slid around her waist. Angie leaned back into him and he whispered in her ear. "What is it with you and windows?"
Angie laughed. "I don't know. I don't have many memories of my childhood before my Dad and I left Cuba but I do remember that ever since I was a little girl in Cuba I have always loved looking outside my window. Of course, there I was looking out a palm trees and ocean, but still...." She sighed. "One of my few memories of my mom is of her telling me that I was looking for my true love, who probably lived very far away and that's why I was always looking out the window." Angie smiled and looked up at Rollie. "I guess she was right."
Rollie nibbled her ear. "Mmm, I guess she was."
"My dad used to say that after I looked out the window he could see the world in my eyes." Angie smiled at the memory and grew a little wistful. "Just one of those silly things dad's say."
Rollie turned her around and looked into her eyes. "My God, he was right. I can see the world in your eyes."
Angie shook her head and laughed. "Very funny."
"No. I mean it. I can see the oceans and North America and Latin America, and...yes! In the other eye I see Australia! I wonder if I can see my dad somewhere in there?" Rollie teased as he searched her eyes.
"Ha ha."
"Be thankful we don't see a magic eight ball. Otherwise we'd have to shake your head after asking you a question." Rollie teased.
"Ooh, you're just so clever aren't you Rollie Tyler!" Angie exclaimed as she poked him in the ribs.
"Now that is something my parents always said about me." Rollie smiled.
After a hearty breakfast everyone descended on the Senator's residence. The meeting was scheduled for the afternoon. The Senator was surprised to see all of them show up at his residence.
"Isn't this overkill? You've already got your guards on me. Do I really need all of you at my home too?" The Senator complained.
"This is not about what you need Senator," Sapien responded tersely. "This is about catching the bad guys, of which you are one I might add, and making sure that no one else is killed. You said that Delveccio would be calling with the location of the meeting?"
"Yes. That's right," the Senator responded somewhat defensively.
Rollie walked out of one of the rooms and declared that it would do nicely.
The Senator turned and looked at him and then looked back at Sapien and Leo. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? What does he think he is doing?" he asked incredulously as Angie and Rollie brought in some of the equipment from the van.
"You'll know soon enough," Leo warned him. "And if you breathe a word of any of this to Delveccio you can consider any deal with the prosecutor to be nullified." The Senator was quiet as he looked like a cornered rat.
The call came and the meeting was set to take place at a warehouse on Haynes Street by the docks in two hours. The Senator was told to sit quietly as two officers watched him closely. Meanwhile, in another room, Rollie and Angie set up the mask making equipment. After a while, Leo came out of the room looking like Senator Richard Bailey's twin. It was incredible. The Senator was shocked.
"What is the meaning of this?" the Senator demanded.. "Is this some kind of joke?"
"Not at all Senator," Leo smiled. "But we had to be sure that you wouldn't tip off Delveccio about our involvement. I'm taking your place to insure your safety, but also to insure that we get the other two."
"Is everything all set?" Sapien asked Rollie.
"Yep. Leo's good to go, He's wired and we'll be able to hear everything he does and in addition, we've given him a little hidden camera that will allow us to see what he does as well," Rollie explained.
"Great." Sapien looked between Leo and Mira, Francis, Rollie and Angie. "Shall we?"
"Definitely," Mira agreed. "We should get this show on the road. Oh, and Senator Bailey? Two of Boston's finest are going to be keeping you company while the operation is under way...just in case." She smiled.
The Senator made some harrumphing noises and threatened to sue for breaching his civil rights but no one paid him any attention.
The FX van pulled up to a side street near the meeting place. The place was surrounded with undercover cops and shooters on rooftops of nearby buildings. Rollie and Angie were coordinating communications between Mira, Francis, Sapien, Leo and the lead Detectives on the Boston police force.
Delveccio had his men drop him off and then wait for him at his car. The only people that were supposed to be at the meeting were himself, the Senator, and the Agent, whom even Delveccio hadn't met yet. This meeting was as much for his insurance as it was for the Senator. Of course, he wasn't about to tell the Senator that.
Angie and Rollie were working to get all the audio and Leo's video feed online. The video feed was working perfectly but as they went through the audio check they found that Mira and Francis's audio signals weren't coming in.
"Maybe it's interference from the buildings or something?" Angie suggested as she looked over at a worried Rollie.
"No, 'cause then everyone else would have trouble as well." Rollie scratched his chin. "I'll have to go check on their equipment. Sapien? Leo? We're having trouble communicating with Mira and Francis. I'm going to go check on them."
"Make it quick Rollie," Leo said as his car arrived at the meeting place.
"I will," Rollie said as he headed for the van's doors.
"Rollie," Angie whispered. "Be careful."
"I will sweetie," he whispered back.
Rollie exited the van and surveyed the area. The Boston cops were to have diverted all unwanted traffic from the area except the undercover agents. Rollie made his way over to Mira and Francis' car. He told them of the problem and went to work checking out the equipment. After fiddling with it a few minutes he contacted Angie and she told him he was coming in loud and clear. Rollie headed back to the van.
Two armed guys sat in a car not far from the building. One of the men spotted Rollie leaving Francis's car.
"Hey Bobby? Isn't that one of that cop McCarthy's friends over there?"
"Where? Yeah...yeah it is. What is he doing here?"
"I don't know. Maybe he's filming a movie here or something. We'll have to tell the boss."
Leo entered the meeting area and right away the video feed showed Delveccio and the Interpol agent who introduced himself as Nicholas Drake.
Senator Bailey told the cops he had to go to the washroom. One of the cops followed him but stopped at the door when the Senator complained about not having any privacy. Once inside, he dialed the number for Delveccio. Delveccio's henchmen picked up the call.
"This is Senator Bailey. You have to tell your boss that the meeting is a set up. There is a cop at the meeting impersonating me—"
"Hang up the phone Senator!" One of the officers yelled as he pointed his weapon at him. The Senator slowly hung up the phone.
The other officers called the Boston detective working with Mira and Francis and told him about the Senator's warning call.
"Move in!" Sapien ordered. "Move in!" He knew that Leo was in danger and Delveccio and Drake would get away if they didn't move in now.
Angie and Rollie listened to all the commotion over the audio feed. Leo, too, had heard the orders but could not pull out his weapon because he would be outnumbered. They heard the commotion of running feet coming up the stairs and Drake and Delveccio looked at the Senator.
"This was a fucking set up!" Drake railed at Delveccio as they both pulled out their weapons. "You idiot! You lured them straight to me!"
Leo pulled out his too. "Drop the weapons!" he yelled, though he was still outnumbered. He pulled off his mask. Two guns were trained on Leo.
"McCarthy?!" Drake glared at Delceccio. "I thought that he was dead!"
Delveccio just looked dumbstruck.
"Yeah, I was but I'm much better now." Leo smiled. "I guess this whole scam operated on a need to know basis and you didn't need to know."
Just then, Sapien, Mira, Francis, and a host of other cops came through the door. The sharpshooter had a laser beam tag focused on Drake's chest. He lowered his weapon when he saw the beam. Delveccio tried to make a break for it but Leo ran after him.
Rollie was about to run out and join the fray when Angie grabbed his sleeve. "Rollie, don't!"
"Angie, Leo is in trouble!"
"I know, Rollie. But please! You're not a cop!" Angie begged him, fear marking her voice.
"Sweetie, I...." Rollie whispered as he pulled Angie to him, his arms enveloping her and he was unsure of what to do.
Outside, not far, Delveccio's men were about to make their way to the FX van when the whole place was suddenly inundated with cops. Sirens and helicopters could be heard approaching and the two thought it best to make a hasty retreat.
Rollie sat beside Angie as they watched the video feed. They could tell that Leo was chasing Delveccio down the stairs and into a hallway. Suddenly Delveccio turned when it appeared he had run out of places to run. He pointed his weapon at Leo and shot. They could see that Leo had also raised his weapon and was shooting as well.
Angie screamed when she saw Delveccio go down. The video feed shook and went black.
"Francis! Mira! Somebody!" Rollie yelled. "Leo's been shot. He's in one of the stairwells with Delveccio—"
"I hear you Rollie," Francis called. "Can you get me the exact location?"
"Yeah, uh...hold on a sec," Rollie said as he touched some buttons on the screen. "North side, down about two flights." Rollie held his head in his hands as he stared at the screen.
Angie turned and threw her arms around him. "Rollie."
"This can't happen again," Rollie murmured as the color left his face and he imagined the worst-case scenario. "It just can't."
After a few very long moments Francis called back to Rollie. "Rollie?"
"Francis?" Rollie called back. "How bad is it?" His voice was thick with worry.
"Rollie, I got someone here who wants to speak with you," Francis answered.
There was, Rollie thought, a horrendously long pause.
"Rollie!" came the unmistakable voice of Leo McCarthy.
Rollie's smile caught in his throat. "Leo?" he choked back tears.
"It's me, pal. Good thing I wore that bulletproof vest, huh?" Leo laughed, high on life.
"Yeah, a bloody good thing." Rollie laughed with a few tears mixed in. "Thanks for giving us a scare though you bloody bastard!" He laughed again as he pulled Angie to him and they hugged each other.
"Yeah. Thanks for adding ten years to my life Leo," Angie added.
"Sorry about that. But at least you're closer to Rollie's age now," Leo laughed.
"Hey!" Rollie complained as Angie laughed.
Nicholas Drake was arrested and an ambulance was called for Delveccio who had been shot in the left shoulder and was expected to be okay.
Rollie and Angie stood outside their van and were soon joined by Mira and Francis. Leo and Sapien were conferring with the Boston police detectives a few feet away.
"So, I guess this Sapien character turned out to be a good guy?" Mira commented.
Rollie's jaw tensed slightly. "Apparently. Although I still haven't quite forgiven him for holding Angie at gunpoint—"
"What?" Mira looked shocked. Neither Rollie nor Angie had mentioned this. "When did that happen?" she asked Angie.
"Umm...a day or so ago," Angie replied sheepishly. "As you can see I am fine." She poked Rollie in the ribs.
"Hey, I am not going to apologize for holding a grudge against this guy. You are too precious to me," Rollie announced as he pulled Angie to him.
"Precious huh?" Angie smiled up at him.
"You better believe it," Rollie said as his mouth covered hers.
"Would somebody please get these two a room!" Leo exclaimed loudly as he made his way over, completely drunk on the thrill of being alive.
Rollie pulled away from Angie and pulled Leo into a big bear hug. They both laughed as they slapped each other on the back. Leo surprised Angie as he pulled her into the hug as well.
"So I guess this means that Leo McCarthy can now officially become a dutiful taxpayer again?" Rollie smiled.
"Oh, don't remind me. Paying taxes almost makes it more desirable to stay dead." Leo grumbled. "I can only imagine the trouble I am going to have getting my life back in order."
"Yeah," Francis laughed. "I don't imagine the IRS is going to be too sympathetic to your plight," he said as he slapped Leo on the back as well. "Oh, and by the way, the Captain says welcome back and hurry up and get back on duty or else!"
"Or else what?" Leo asked. "What can the Captain do to me that hasn't already been done?"
"I don't think you want to find out." Francis shook his head.
"You're probably right Francis." Leo laughed. "Listen, why don't we all go out to dinner tonight and celebrate before heading back to New York?"
"Detective McCarthy?" Mira called over to him. "Welcome back. I've heard a lot about you from both Rollie and Francis. I'm sorry about before...but you know, once a cop always a cop—"
"Don't worry about it," Leo assured her.
"McCarthy?"
Leo turned to see Sapien walking towards him with his hand outstretched. "It was an honor working along side you. I thought you might also like to know that in addition to the arrests here, that busts have been taking place at all of Delveccio's holdings. His son is in custody as we speak. The whole operation is being shut down. The um...ledgers were very helpful in that regard." He smiled and looked at Rollie. Sapien turned his attention to Angie. "I never apologized for what I put you through. I'm terribly sorry and I want you to know that I never would have hurt you. I just—"
"There's no need. It's okay. I mean, it's not okay, but I understand why you did it," Angie said seriously. "Apology accepted."
"Mr. Tyler, please accept my apology as well."
Rollie looked over at Angie. "If Angie can accept it, I certainly can."
Leo and the others started planning where they were going to have their celebration dinner. Rollie and Angie held back, his arm around her shoulders.
"Aren't you guys coming?" Leo asked as he came back towards the couple.
"Yeah, Leo, we're right behind you." Rollie answered. He just wanted a few more minutes alone with Angie before joining what promised to be a boisterous celebration.
The next morning Angie and Rollie left ahead of the others to head back to New York. They wanted to take their time and stop here and there at antique, computer, and hobby shops they had noticed on their way down. Leo said he would get a ride back to New York with Francis.
As they entered the loft they both called out respectively for Chiops and Bluey. Angie picked up her cat and nuzzled the furry friend as she went to the phone to check the messages. Rollie took their bags upstairs. When he came back down he went up behind Angie and nuzzled her ear, while she still held the cat.
"Home sweet home," Angie purred into Rollie's ear.
"Mmm, I'll say," Rollie whispered into hers. "Any important messages?"
"Not really. Luce called. She's still having trouble figuring out her relationship with Christopher. She wants to do lunch."
"Oh lovely. I think I'll let you handle that."
"Oh no you don't. We're in this together," Angie reminded him. "There was a call from Eldon. He said something about some thing-y breaking and it was all very long-winded and confusing and anyway he'll call you back." Angie crinkled her nose. " Oh— and a call from Elena...." She looked at him trying to gauge his reaction.
"Okay." Rollie appeared unconcerned. "Well, none of that really seems important except maybe Luce, but let's wait on calling her back okay? You and I have a date tonight."
"You remembered," Angie smiled.
"You bet I did. So what do you want to do? A movie? A play? Shoot some pool?"
Angie let Chiops down as she thought about it. "I want to go to a club and dance."
Rollie appeared crestfallen. "Dance?"
"Yep. Daryl took Kit to this new club that has three floors and there's a different theme on each floor. Like, on the first floor it might be techno or hip hop. And on the second floor, it might be swing or something like that and on the third floor it might be something Latin, like salsa, or mambo." Angie looked into his eyes. "You don't want to do that?"
"No, it's fine. It's just not— well, it's not really my style of dancing; I'd much rather slow dance with you in my arms. But hey, you want to do it, we'll do it."
"It'll be fun, you'll see. Maybe I'll drag you out onto the hip hop floor and teach you some new moves." Angie promised.
"I'm sure you could." Rollie smiled. "Listen, I'm going to return some calls and then I have some errands to run. Do you want me to bring back a late lunch?"
"No. I think I'll have a smoothie. I feel all bunched up from traveling. I think I'll unpack and call Luce from upstairs."
"Okay, see you later." Rollie called Elena Serrano back while Angie was upstairs. They promised to meet up with each other when she comes to town in a few weeks. Then he went to do his errands.
Angie did some work on the computer while Rollie was out and then had a light snack too. She didn't want to ruin dinner because she and Rollie were going to the new Thai restaurant in the village first. Angie looked at her watch.
"5:45. Where the hell are you Rollie?" she sighed. Angie figured he probably got caught up in the electronics store or maybe even stuck in traffic.
Angie went upstairs and took a shower. She changed and then waited upstairs.
Angie awoke the next morning in the bed alone and in the outfit she had put on last night. The other side of the bed was empty and cold.
"Rollie?" she called sleepily. His side hadn't been slept in. "Rollie?" she called again as she went to check the bathroom. Angie changed into her day clothes and started downstairs. "Rollie, where are you?" she called again, a touch of panic rimming her voice.
"Bluey? Where's daddy?" The electronic dog just whimpered. Angie checked outside for his car and found it wasn't there. Angie went back in and searched room from room and still found nothing. She checked for phone messages and found nothing. Angie called Rollie's cell phone and received the message that it was out of service. Angie was beginning to panic. Angie was just coming downstairs when there was a knock at the door. Angie ran the rest of the way down the stairs to answer it.
"Rollie!" she called as she opened the door only to find Leo there. Her smile of relief disappeared.
"Hey, Angie. Rollie's already gone out I see?" Leo smiled and slowly became concerned when he saw the look on Angie's face.
"Leo! I can't find him." Angie started to ramble. "Something's wrong Leo. He didn't come home last night...I called his phone...I checked all over...his car's not here...Oh God!" She cried as panic set in. "Where is he Leo? Where? What if...." Her thoughts trailed off at the possibility that Victor Loubar was somehow behind this.
"Calm down Angie." Leo put a protective arm around her shoulder and led her into the lounge. "Let me make some phone calls. We'll find him."
Angie paced the loft. Leo went into the lounge to make her some tea and to make his phone calls in private. His first call was to Captain Van Duren at Midtown South.
"Captain? It's Leo McCarthy. I'm fine Captain but...there's a problem. I think we may have some fallout from the Delveccio case. Rollie Tyler is missing, since last night." Leo looked over at Angie who was still hugging her knees. "All right Capt. Thanks for your help. I'll make some calls to the hospitals. Keep me posted."
Leo's next call was to Lucinda. He asked Bluey to dial the number for him. She was very surprised to hear Leo's voice, to say the least. Lucinda calmed down after he told her about Rollie's disappearance and that Angie could use her help right about now. Leo brought the tea into the lounge.
"Where is he Leo?" Angie asked, her voice small and pleading.
"I don't know Angie but I've got people working on it. We'll find him, I promise you."
"Thank you, Leo." Angie smiled. "So what happens now? What can I do?"
"Just hang in there. I'm going to make some calls to the hospitals to see if any John Doe's were brought in." Leo grimaced at her crestfallen face and moved to quickly reassure her. "It's only a precaution. If Rollie was in an accident and is unconscious they may not know who he is," he assured Angie. "The Captain has the information out for officers to search for him but he hasn't officially been missing for 24 hours—"
"But he went out around lunch time yesterday Leo. It'll be 24 hours soon. We were supposed to go out to dinner and then dancing. If he was held up he would have called." Angie sniffled. "I just have a really bad feeling about this. Something is terribly wrong Leo." Angie got up and started pacing. "Do you think this has anything to do with your case?"
He knew Angie would get around to asking that question. Leo paused. "I'll be honest with you Angie...it's a real possibility."
"But how?" She worried as she chewed on her fingernail. "Delveccio is in custody right? And Drake? Who else is there?"
"Well, we may not have gotten all of Delveccio's men. Arrests were still being made throughout the night but there are still some operatives unaccounted for and there may be some underlings that we don't know about," Leo explained.
Angie walked away more worried than ever. She went to the window and watched as a light drizzle fell. She felt a chill go down her spine. She turned back to Leo. "I want you to know I don't blame you, Leo. Not in any way. I just want Rollie back. Please find him."
"I will move heaven and earth to find him, Angie. I promise you," Leo declared as he pulled her into a tight hug. "I better make those calls."